Electric power supply connector for sealed compressor

ABSTRACT

A compressor is provided with a fluid tight electrical connector. The electrical connector is sealed against the sealed compressor housing, and a cable is attached to a connector housing. Since the cable is separately attached to the connector housing, it is not directly connected to terminal pins in the compressor. This reduces damage to those terminal pins. Further, unique sealing arrangements make the electrical connection fluid tight.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This application is a divisional of Ser. No. 09/859,390, filed May, 17 2001, which was a divisional of Ser. No. 09/115,463, filed Jul. 14 1998, and now U.S. Pat. No. 6,290,528.

[0002] This invention relates to a sealed power supply connection for a sealed compressor housing.

[0003] Compressors are typically mounted within a sealed housing. The sealed housing receives a compressor pump unit and an electric motor for driving the compressor pump unit. Refrigerant and oil are allowed to flow within the sealed housing to perform various functions such as cooling the motor, etc. Due to this refrigerant fluid and vapor flow within the compressor housing, the sealed compressor housings must be fully fluid-tight.

[0004] There have been some challenges in connecting power supply connections to the sealed compressor housing while still achieving a fluid-tight structure for the sealed compressor housing. Typically, a series of terminal pins are mounted within a side wall of a connector in a connector housing. A cable has been connected to those terminal pins to supply power to the electric motor.

[0005] These connections have been deficient in several regards. First, there has not always been a fully fluid-tight connection at the connection of the connector housing.

[0006] In addition, the mount of the cable has typically been directly to the terminal pins. In this way, when the cable is removed from the connector, there has been damage to the terminal pins. Typically, the terminal pins are each a single connector with fragile ceramic connectors.

[0007] Further, this type of connection has not been adaptable to applications where the compressor may sometimes be submerged in water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In a disclosed embodiment of this invention, a separate connector housing is attached to a sealed compressor housing. A cable is connected to a connection at one end of the housing, and terminal pins from the connector housing are received within mating pin structure within a connector block. A terminal block has appropriate circuitry for communicating the terminal pins in the sealed housing to connectors for the cable at the other end of the connector block. The connector housing is preferably attached to the sealed compressor housing with some mechanical attachment structure. In one embodiment, bolts are utilized. Preferably, bolt bosses are welded to the outer surface of the sealed compressor housing to receive the mechanical attachment structure, which may be bolts. The cable is separately connected to the connector housing such that when the cable is removed, there is no force on the terminal pins in the connector housing.

[0009] Structurally, the connector housing preferably includes an internal wall which receives the terminal block to receive the terminal pins. This connector housing provides proper positioning for the terminal block such that the terminal block is properly received. A strap secures the terminal block within the connector housing. The terminal block is preferably formed with openings to receive the terminal pins from the sealed compressor housing, and has appropriate circuitry connected to the terminal pins for the cable.

[0010] Further, sealing elements are preferably placed on the connector housing to surround the connection of the terminal pins within the compressor housing. Further sealing elements are placed in the connector housing at appropriate locations to define a fluid-tight seal. Also, the entire interior of the connector housing is preferably encased in a filler material such as a potting material, further enhancing the fluid-tight seal.

[0011] These and other features of the present invention can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description.

DESCRIPTION OF THESE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a compressor incorporated in the inventive connector housing.

[0013]FIG. 2 is the compressor of FIG. 1 without the connector housing.

[0014]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view through the connector housing.

[0015]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along a different plane from that of FIG. 3, and through the connector housing.

[0016]FIG. 5 shows a portion of the connector housing.

[0017]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view generally along lines 6-6 as shown in FIG. 5.

[0018]FIG. 7 is a view through a connector housing portion according to the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 8 schematically shows the connections of the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the connector housing.

[0021]FIG. 10 shows the housing lid.

[0022]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view along line 11-11 of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] A compressor 20 includes a sealed compressor housing 22 which seals a compressor pump unit and motor, as known. An electrical power connector housing 24 is attached to the sealed compressor housing 22. A cable 26 is secured to the connector housing 24 and supplies electrical power to the compressor 20.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the sealed compressor housing 22 includes an electrical connection at 28. Connection 28 includes pins 30 received within a weld ring 29. The weld ring is welded to the sealed compressor housing 22 and pins 30 are connected to the motor. The structure of the pins is better described in co-pending patent application Ser. No. 09/105,135, entitled “INTEGRAL GROUND PIN FOR SEALED COMPRESSOR”, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,028,523.

[0025] The connector housing 24 is shown attached to the sealed compressor housing 22 in FIG. 3. As shown, the pins 30 extend through openings 31 in the connector housing. A main connector housing body 36 receives a cover 38 and 40. Bolts 42 extend into the bosses 32 to secure the connector housing 24 to the sealed compressor housing. An internal wall 44 receives a terminal block 46 which communicates electrical signals from the pins 30 to the cable 26, as will be explained below. A strap 48 secures the terminal block 46 within the housing. The space surrounding the terminal block and strap is filled with a filler material 57, such as an epoxy potting material. A groove 49 of the main connector housing body 36 is supplied within a tough epoxy sealant, such that the connection between the main connector housing body 36 and the covers 38 and 40 provides a fluid type seal. The drawings schematically show a compressor pump unit 51 which is driven by a motor 55. A power supply supplies power from terminal pins 30 to the wires 157, and through to the motor 55. The power supply is preferably a three-phase power supply, and preferably there are four pins, with one of the pins supplying a ground. This is the invention of the above-referenced patent. A seal 53 seals between a forward face of the main connector housing body 36 and the sealed compressor housing 22. A space 17 spaces weld ring 29 from the main connector housing body 36. The combination of all of the sealing provides a fluid type seal such that this compressor could be placed in a submerged location, and yet water would not leak through the connector housing. A separate cable connector 50 is inserted into the main connector housing body 36, and includes appropriate seals for providing a fluid tight seal between the cable 26 and the cable connector 50. Again, the fluid type seal will allow the entire compressor to be submerged. Since the cable is connected to a separate part, it can be easily removed without applying any force to the terminal pins 30. Thus, damage which may have occurred in the past is avoided.

[0026] Weld bosses 32 are welded to the other surface of the sealed compressor housing 22 and receive bolts to connect the connector housing 24, as will be described below.

[0027]FIG. 4 shows connector housing 24 including a flat for sealing ring 53 which seals on the outer surface of the sealed compressor housing 22. A wall 44 receives bolts 56 to secure the strap 48. A plurality of openings 54 are formed within block 36 to receive the pins 30. As shown, potting material 57 fills the housing 24.

[0028]FIG. 5 shows the wall 44 within the interior of the main connector housing body 36. A sealing lip 58 surrounds an opening into the main connector housing body 36. The cover 40 is received on the main connector housing body 36 to close this opening. The sealing lip 58 provides a fluid tight seal at that connection.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 6, the sealing lip 58 extends outwardly of main connector housing body 36.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 7, a sealing element 53 surrounds the inner surface of the main connector housing body 36.

[0031]FIG. 8 schematically shows the terminal block 46 receiving the terminal pins 30.

[0032] Appropriate wiring 52 connects the terminal pins 30 to a cable connector 60 having associated pins 62. Although pins are shown at both 30 and 62, it should be understood that either or both of these elements could be receptors rather than the pin elements.

[0033]FIG. 9 shows the main connector housing body 36, and the cable connector 60 including the pins 62. The curved surface 67 of the main connector housing body 36 faces the outer periphery of the curved outer surface of the sealed compressor housing 22 and provides a splash guard. Since the inventive compressor may well be utilized in applications where it will be exposed to water, the splash guard prevents water from reaching the seal between the connector housing and the sealed compressor housing. The inventive connector is especially directed to compressors which are utilized in refrigeration transport containers. That is, refrigerated containers transported on boats, etc. Such compressors may well be exposed to water, and the invention is thus directed to providing a very good seal for this application.

[0034] As can be seen in FIG. 9, there is a flat surface 99 radially inwardly of the curved surface 67. That flat surface receives the seal 53 such as shown in FIG. 3. The combination of the flat surface and the curved surface ensure that there is a fluid tight seal at the sealed compressor housing, and that that seal is not exposed to an undue amount of water due to the splash guard of the curved surface 67.

[0035]FIG. 10 shows lid 40. As shown, groove 49 surrounds the periphery of the lid. A sealant, preferably an epoxy sealant 100 is placed in the groove 49 before the lid is placed on the main housing (see FIG. 11). The groove and sealant then seals on to the tongue 101 on the main housing such as shown in FIG. 3.

[0036] While an epoxy is the preferred filler material in this application, other filler materials such as RTB, silicone materials, etc., can be utilized.

[0037] A preferred embodiment of this invention has been disclosed; however, a worker of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that certain modifications come within the scope of this invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A sealed compressor comprising: a compressor pump unit and a motor for driving said compressor pump unit; a housing surrounding said compressor pump unit and said motor and providing a fluid tight enclosure; a power supply connector for communicating a power supply to said motor, said power supply connector being mounted within said housing wall; and a connector housing for connecting to said power supply connector and to a cable for supplying power to said power supply connector, said connector housing enclosing a plurality of electrical connections to be received on said electrical connector in said housing wall, and a second group of electrical connectors to receive connectors from a cable, said connector housing including at least three connections for supplying three power phases to said electrical connector supply, and mechanical attachment elements for connecting said connector housing to said compressor housing, and allowing said cable to be connected to said second electrical connections without removing said connector.
 2. A compressor as recited in claim 1, wherein said connector housing includes a main connector body and a cover, and said mechanical attachment members to secure both said cover and said main connector body to said compressor housing.
 3. A compressor as recited in claim 2, wherein said compressor housing includes a plurality of bosses extending from an outer wall of compressor housing for receiving said mechanical attachment members.
 4. A compressor as recited in claim 3, wherein said mechanical attachment members are threaded bolts and said bosses include threads to receive said bolts.
 5. A compressor as recited in claim 1, wherein said first electrical connectors extend into openings in a terminal connection body, said terminal connection body communicating electrical power from said second connector to said first connector.
 6. A compressor as recited in claim 5, wherein said connector housing includes an internal wall for guidably supporting said terminal connection body.
 7. A compressor as recited in claim 6, wherein a band is secured to said wall to secure said terminal connection body within said connector housing.
 8. A connector as recited in claim 7, wherein said terminal connection body includes a plurality of openings which receive electrical supply pins.
 9. A compressor as recited in claim 1, wherein said cable is connected to said second electrical connector, and said second electrical connector being received within said connector housing, but being a separate component.
 10. A compressor as recited in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said connector housing has a curved surface facing said compressor housing, and said compressor housing having a curved surface such that said connector housing curved surface faces said compressor outer housing and serves as a splash guard.
 11. A compressor as recited in claim 10, wherein a planar surface is positioned radially inwardly of said curved surface, said planar surface receiving a seal, said seal being in contact with said compressor housing.
 12. A compressor as recited in claim 11, wherein said seal being provided around said electrical connections.
 13. A compressor as recited in claim 1, wherein an interior of said connector housing is provided with a filler material to seal the electrical connections.
 14. A compressor as recited in claim 13, wherein said filler material is an epoxy potting material.
 15. A compressor as recited in claim 1, wherein a seal is provided between said connector housing and said compressor housing around said electrical connections.
 16. A compressor as recited in claim 1, wherein said housing is covered by a lid, one of said housing and said lid having a groove and the other having a tongue fitting into said groove, a sealant being placed between said tongue and said groove. 